
E' I R S T 



ANNUAL REPORT 



OF TFTE 



i 



c? 



TTNM COLONY OF COLOUDO/i 



INCLUDING A 



HISTORI Of THE TOWN OF UMl 



From its Date op Settlement to the Present Time 



wri^ii 



I) l: s v\\\ p t I V !<: rn a p t i^ r s 



ON 



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FIRST 



ANNUAL REPORT 

OF THE 

UNION COLONY OF COLORADO, 



INCLUDING A 



HISIORy OF THE TOWN OF GREELE!. 



Prom its Date of Settlement to the Present Time ; 



.\ 



. - V WITH 

y I) E S C lU P 'I' I V ]5 CHAPTERS 



V 



ON 



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1871. 



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BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 

Nathan C, Meekee, Egbert A. Cameron, 

E. C. Monk, W. W. Wilcox. 

J. H. PiNKEErON. 



OFFICERS . 

President : — Nathan C. Meeker, 

Vice President: — Gen. Robert A. Cameron 
Treasurer :^Dr. Chas. Emeeson, 

Secretary : — i RANK M. Babcock. 
Engineer : — E. S. Nettle: on. 
Secret •ry Bureau of Statistics and Ii formation, 
William E. Paboe. 



EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 

. E. A. "-Iollister, Chairman. 
N. Holmes. O. Plumb. 

J. C. Shattuck. E. L. Chills. 

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L. Von Goheen. Eli Hall. 

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UIIOI COLOM OF COLOEADO. 



CHAPTER I. 

ORGANIZATION OF UNION COLONY. 

In the early part of December, 1869, an article, entitled 
"A Western Colony," appeared in the Neic-Yvvlc Daily 
Tribune. We quote the essential paragraphs from it, as 
follows : 

" I propose to unite with pi'oper persons in the esfcablisliment of a Colony in 
Colorado Territory. 

" Tlie peri^ons with whom I would be willing to associate must be Temper- 
ance men, and ambitious to establiah good society. 

'• My plan would bo to mal;e the HOttlcuiont aluiOKt wholly in a village ; all the 
lots of the village should be sold, that lunds may be obtaineo for making 
imijrovements for the common good, such as the building of a church, a town 
hall, a school-house, and for the eslablifshment of a library. Adjoining the 
village, the outlying tracts could be apportioned, by lot or otherwise, in size 
accoi'ding to distance from tue village (lenter. Some of the advantages of set- 
tling in a village will be easy access to schools aud public places, meetings, 
lectiU'CiS, and the lilie, and society can be had at once. 

" Farmers will be wanted ; nur'sei-ymen, tlorists, and almost all kinds of me- 
chanics, as well as capitalists, to use the coal and water-power in running 
machuiory. The first settlers, mtist of course, be pioneers, for houses, mills 
and mechanic shops are to be built, that families may come with few privations. 
Wliatever professions and occupations enter into the formation of an intelligent, 
educated and thrifty cummunity should be embraced hy this Colony, and it 
should be the object to exhibit all that is best m modern civilization. In par- 
ticular, should moral and religious sentiments prevail, for without these 
qualities man is nothing. At the same time, tolerance and liberality should 
also prevail. One thing more is equally important- — happiness, wealth and the 
glory of a State spring fioni the family — and it should be an aim and a high 
ambition to preserve the family pure in all its relations, and to labor with the 
best efibrts life aud strength can give to make the home comfortable, to beau- 
tify and adorn it, and to supply it with whatever will make it attractive and 
loved. 

" I make the point that two important objects will be gained by such a 
colony. First, schools, refined society, and all the advantages of an old coun- 
try, will be secured in a few j'ears ; while, on the contrary, where settlements 
are made by the old methods, people are obliged to wait twenty, forty or more 
years. Second, witli free homesteads as a basis, with the sale of reserved lots tor 
the general good, the greatly increased values of real estate, wiJl be for the 
benefit of all the people, not for schemers and speculators. In the success of 
this Colony, a model will be presented for settling the remainder of the vast 
territory of our country. 

" Persons wishing to unite in such a colony, will please address me at the 
Tribune office, stating their occupation, and the value of the property which 
they could take with them. (Signed) N. C. Meekeb." 

It is probable that, on the morning the above call ap- 
peared, its writer had no idea the seed thus sown would 
spring up rapidly under tne genial influence of the Tribune^ 
and bring forth an hundred-fold return. But as day follow- 



ed day, and eacli incoming mail brouglit scores of respon- 
ses from persons in all parts of the country and of every 
condition in life, it became necessary to plan a realization of 
the idea thus introduced to the community at large. Ac- 
cordingly, a meeting was called for December 23d, in 
Boom No. 24, Cooper Institute, New-York city — a room 
made famous by the weekly discussions of the Farmers' 
Club, and therefore very appropriately chosen for the pro- 
posed organization. It was the writer's good fortune to 
be present on that occasion ; the room was comfortably 
full, and individuals were present from every Eastern 
State, from Western New- York, from New-Jersey and 
Pennsylvania. The Hon. Horace Greeley was appointed 
to preside, and, on taking the chair, made a few remarks 
pertinent to the object before the meeting. He believed 
that there ought to be, not only one, but one thousand 
colonies — there were multitudes of men working for wages 
who ought to emigrate. He disliked to see men in ad- 
vanced life working for salaries in places where, perhaps, 
they were ordered about by boys. He would like to see 
them working for themselves. 

Mr. N. C. Meeker followed. He had received over 
eight hundred letters — their writers represented all trades, 
professions and pursuits ; many educated ; the majority 
farmers, and fully one-half church members. It was ne- 
cessary that a committee be appointed to go and search 
for a location that will be suited to the greatest variety of 
pursuits. The plan is certainly an experiment, and for a 
first colony more natural advantages will be required than 
for other colonies, having for a guide the experience of a 
pioneer colony. He named, in the order of their import- 
ance, what should be sought : healthfulness ; a varied and 
rich soil ; timber ; coal ; iron ore ; adaptation to fruit ; 
water-power ; beauty of scenery. The interests of so 
many families, with the earnings of their lives and the 
comforts of home, the interests of so many industrious, 
skiUful, intelligent and well-to-do people should not be 
put in jeopardy for want of thorough investigation. 

Mr. Meeker was followed by various other gentlemen. 



all expressing themselves favorable to a plan of organiza- 
tion, among them Gen. Robt. A. Cameron, of Elmira, who 
said he had gone to Indiana when it was a wilderness, and 
to Chicago when it was a mud-hole, and now he wanted to 
go to Colorado, for no where in the globe is thei'e such 
another country as the west. The great mining region was 
to be developed, and to do this would create a market that 
oould not be over-stocked. 

It was finally decided to organize as the " Union Colony," 
with the following named officers : N. C. Meeker, Presi- 
dent ; Gen. R. A. Cameron, Vice President ; Horace 
Greeley, Treasurer. An Executive Committee of five was 
also chosen, and this resolution adopted : 

'■That each member pay 15 for current expenses, and also hold subject to 
the call of the Treasurer f 150, for a purchase fund for the land to be bought, 
and that said money shall be refunded if the land is not settled within a reason- 
able period, to be prescribed by the Executive Committee." 

Fifty-nine members enrolled their names — ^^paid their 
initiation fee of five ' dollars, and then, amid the greatest 
enthusiasm and the most perfect harmony, the meeting 
adjourned, to allow the Executive Committee to prepare 
the Constitution and By-Lavs of the Union Colony. 
These, in a few days, were printed in circular form, and 
distributed. The salient features were as follows : 

The object of the Colony shall be to settle on Govern- 
ment or other cheap land, to the end that men may engage 
in various industries and pursuits ; have homes " of their 
own ; and that churches and schools may be convenient. 

Persons wishing to become members, must be temper- 
ance men, and of good moral character. 

A Locating Committee to report a suitable location; 
when found, the Treasurer to purchase and hold the same 
in trust for the Colony ; said lands to be be deeded in 
designated parcels to the members, as the Executive 
Committee shall direct ; deeds for the same to be ex- 
ecuted, whenever a member, in good faith, enters upon his 
land to make improvements. 

Four quarter sections or six hundred and forty acres 
to be located centrally, and divided into business and 
residence lots ; grounds to be reserved for a plaza, schools, 



6 • 

cliurclies, and other public institutions. Tke business and 
residence lots so laid out to be sold, one of each to eacli 
member of the Colony, at a fixed valuation, and the pro- 
ceeds devoted to improvements for the common wellfare. 

Lands adjoining the town plot to be divided into lots of 
five, ten, twenty, forty and eighty acres, according to their 
distance from the town center, and deeded one to each 
member as they may choose or the Committee shall decide. 

It will be seen that in no way is the Colony organized 
as a " commitnity," in the sense of the term as used in 
connection with the Oneida community. The impression 
seems to have gone abroad that such is the case, but 
nothing is further from the fact. We are an organization 
for the sole purpose of controlling, by purchase and sale, 
a large body of land ; all other interests are separate, dis- 
tinct and entire — as much so as in any town or city in the 
land. The plot of ground chosen, once deeded to a mem- 
ber of the Colony, belongs to him, and he has the sole 
right to its disposal. He chooses his own business and 
minds it, or neglects it, without interference. His family 
affairs are as private as they were in his eastern home. 
His accumulations ai'e his own — to squander or to save, 
as he may elect. We desire, therefore, that our social 
position may not be misunderstood, since no element of 
communism enters into it. We are a Union Colony, in so 
far as matters relate to our mutual interests, and no 
further. 

Coupled with the Constitution and By-Laws, were par- 
agraphs on irrigation, showing that by this means the 
growth and yield of fruit, vegetables and grain are enor- 
mous; tha: its cost is but trifling, and, after the system has 
been once established, farmers need be dependent no lon- 
ger upon rain falls, as "seed-time and harvest" are sure. 

So was launched the good ship Union Colgn^y op Col- 
orado, freighted v/ith the fresh hopes, the re-awakened 
ambitions, the newly kindled desires of hundreds of souls. 
From near and far they came ; the inlets of Maine sent 
representatives to join hands with those who came from 
the lagoons of Florida ; the hardy men of Minnesota stood 



slioulder to shoulder with those who grew up under the 
shadow of the Allegliauy Kange ; and the New-Yorker 
kept pace with the Virginian, on the broad deck of the 
good ship, plowing her way westward. 

Twentj-seven States of our glorious Union, sent gallant 
sons to serve under a gallant leader. Surely, with the 
successful ventures from the time Cecrops led forth his 
Egyptian Colony to found Athens, down to the settlement 
of Virginia by the London Company, this should take 
honored rank. Strangers all, yet bound by kindred ties ; 
each with a past checkered by sad experiences and glad 
mementoes, yet each looking forward to .i future full of 
promise ; each and all centering their hopes upon one 
object, and that located afar off, at the foot of the Shining 
Mountains, on the slopes of the Everlasting Hills. Well 
may we pause to wonder and while we wonder to admire — 

"Sail on, sail on, oh ship of state ! 
Sail on, oh Union, strong and great ; 

Humanity with all its fears, 

With all its hopes of future years 
Is hanging breathless on thy fate." 



CHAPTEE 11. 

LOCATION. — TOWN SITE, — FIEST ARKIVALS. 

On the third dav of February the Locating Committee, 
consisting of N. C. Meeker, E,. A. Cameron, and H. T. West, 
set out in search of the promised, land. Of these three, one 
had resided for tliirtj^-five, another for twenty-five and the 
third for ten years in the West, and during these periods 
had visited every Western State from Canada to the Gulf, 
They were therefore well qualified for the important trust 
confided to them by the Executive Committee. 

During this trip the Committee carefully explored parts 
of Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, New Mexico, Wyoming 
and Utah. But it was diificult to select so large a tract 
of land as the Colony required in one body, and one cause 
with another operated to decide against Locating . in any 
one of these States or Territories. 



Nebraska's great want was a market for its produc- 
tions. Arkansas liad its enervating climate, and New 
Mexico sadly needed suitable railroad accommodation. 
During their journeyings tbrougli Utali and Wyoming the 
Committee were particularly impressed with the beauty of 
Bear Yalley in the yicinity of Evanston, on the Union 
Pacific Railroad. Here are many and rare advantages 
for a Colonial settlement of perhaps an hundred families ; 
coal, iron and wood abound in the neighborhood. This 
Yalley still lies open for settlement, presenting advantages 
that need only to be seen to be properly appreciated. 
But Union Colony, with six hundred families and the pro- 
mise of four hundred more, needed more room than could 
be found in Bear Yalley, and so the Committee reluctantly 
turned their faces from it, and, crossing the Border, en- 
tered the Territory of Colorado. With great care they 
explored the Lower Platte, the Great Bend of the Platte, 
the Platte Canyon, Box Elder Creek emptying into the 
La Poudre River, near the base of the mountains, the 
Thompson and the St. Yrains. Box Elder Yalley was 
found to be one of the finest agricultural valleys in the 
Territory. It has wood within six miles, with water of ex- 
cellent quality and sufficient quantity from the Poudre, 
and lies within easy reach. Crossing the Divide South of 
Denver they explored Monument Yalley, the Fontaine qui 
Bouille and the Arkansas. It was also their intention to 
visit San Luis Park, but snow in the Sangre de Christo 
Pass prevented. They found the scenery of Monument 
Yalley very fine and for a few families presented favorable 
inducements for settlement. But the insufficient supply 
of water for a large tract of land forbade its selection for 
Union Colony. 

At last, after a month of journeying in the wilderness 
they were enabled to send, on the wings of the lightning, 
the tidings east, that on the 5th day of April, "Union 
Colony, No. 1, N. C. Meeker, President, and Horace 
Greeley, Treasurer, located in Colorado Territory, on the 
delta formed by the junction of the Cache-la-poudre and 
the Platte Rivers, and on the Denver Pacific Railway, 



midway between Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyo- 
ming. The new town has been named Greele3^ Houses, 
mills, stores, churches, and schools are to be erected the 
coming season. 

So, after mature deliberation, careful examination, 
and a thorough canvass of the advantages and disad- 
vantages of this, in comparison with other locations, the 
final choice was made. 

Of the Cache-la-poudre, in whose valley was chosen the 
site of the future "City of the Plains," Fitz Hugh Lud- 
low thus wrote in his "Heart of the Continent:" — "This 
stream is one of the most beautiful torrents which we saw 
on our entire journey. It comes from the Everlasting 
Snow Line of the Peaks about Cheyenne Pass, an^l its 
entire course to the Platte is broken by no great fall, with 
a tolerably even grade and considerable winding of direc- 
tion. It swarms with tine fish and is the most mysteri- 
ously seductive of streams." 

Mr. E. S. Nettleton, Engineer of Union Colony, gives 
the fall of the river near the Foot Hills, as the first range 
to the west of the town is called, at twenty feet to the mile 
gradually decreasing until immediately opposite Greeley 
it has but a fall of about eleven feet to the mile. 

It has been truly said that "a city never becomes the 
leading one of a section unless in addition its geographi- 
cal position is such that it can become a centre of travel 
and a point of distribution." In examining the new town of 
Greeley in this light a glance at the map published in con- 
nection with this report, shows it to be located at the out- 
let of a wide agricultural country, which naturally is 
tributary to it, as it lies opposite the Platte, where it comes* 
to receive the Cache-la-Poudre, while the vaUeys of the Big 
and Little Thompson and of St. Vrain open full upon it 
and from them radiate tributary valleys. In addition to 
this the Platte Yalley, from two to seven miles wide, will 
be open to it in the days to come by settlements pushed 
out, from the Missouri river on the East, by the Kansas 
Pacific on the South, and by the settlements along the 
Rocky Mountains on the West. 



10 

The Bocky Mountain News in commenting upon tlie loca- 
tion selected, said : 

"The town site will be in every respect desirable ; Eastward the outlook is 
down the plain that stretches unbroken to the Missouri River, six hundred 
miles away, relieved by the groves and fringes of timbers that skirt the Poudre 
and Platte Rivers and Crow Creek. North and South are rolling prairies, and 
Westward, tlie same to the Mountain foot, twenty-one miles distant but plainly 
distinct and in the wonderfully clear, rarified atmosphere, seeming scarce half 
a dozen miles away. Beyond that line rises the great Rocky Mountain chain, 
massive and dark with pine forests, rising ridge beyond and above ridge until 
they culminate in the lofty, snowy range, sixty miles away and with a sweep of 
at least a hundred and fifty miles. Long's Peak is the nearest and .seems the 
loftiest in si^ht. It bears southwest by west and is over fourteen thousand 
feet high. Snow is always visible on the main range." 

The Executive Committee soon officially announced tlie 
location to the members of the Colony, giving all particu- 
lars of the site and the country surrounding it. The town 
site is in Latitude 40 deg. 25 min., North, Longitude ^7 deg. 
48 min. west of Washington, at an elevation of 4779 feet 
above the sea. 

It was found necessray to organize under the Territorial 
Law of Colorado, before the land could be secured and 
held in trust, and for this purpose an Act of Licorporation 
of Union Colony of Colorado was framed, entered upon 
record and a Board of Trustees chosen to represent the 
interests of the members. Under this charter the Colony 
holds the exclusive right to construct ditches within the 
lands possessed, to build roads, to purchase and convey 
lands, and has other powers usually vested in corporate 
bodies. This movement, rendered necessary by the pe- 
cuHar circumstances of the case, in a measure abrogated 
the powers held by the Executive Committee appointed in 
New-York. But the power of the latter body was virtu- 
ally recognized by the new Board of Trustees and the two 
organizations worked in harmony with each other. 

On the twenty-fifth day of April, the first sod was turned 
in the new town of Greeley. Mr. Meeker, in the interests 
of the Colony at once returned to New-York, to supervise . 
the transpol-tation of members to their new home, while 
General Cameron, as superintendent of the Colony re- 
mained on the ground to receive them as they arrived. 
Arrangements, anri very satisfactory ones, were made with 
Col. John S. Loomis, President of the National Land Com- 
pany, in reference to the forwardance of freight for Col- 



11 

onists and passage tickets were issued at greatly reduced 
rates ; the agents of the company at all the piiiicipal cities 
in the East and West, and on the lines of the leading rail- 
roads were instructed to look after the interests and care 
for the comfort of those travelling under these tickets. It 
gives us great pleasure to place upon record our grateful 
appreciation of the attentions and courtesies of the officers 
and agents of the Land Company, from its active and 
efficient President down to its lowest agent. At Chicago, 
as the central point for Colonists, Mr. C. N. Pratt, general 
agent of the Company, was ever at his post of duty, im- 
parting information, looking after the interests of the trav- 
ellers, and cheering them forward on their Avay. Agents 
at all points on the route stood ready to receive and 
forward Colonists travelhng under the protection of the 
company ; and to strangers in a strange land (and some 
of them ladies travelling alone or with young children,) 
these attentions were particularly welcome and valuable. 

In the early part of May a statement was published 
showing the quantity of land bought, — who from, — the 
amount paid, and the proposed division of land. 

We quote from this circular, as follows : — 

" Purchased from the Denver Pacific Railway Company, through the Na- 
tional Land Companj-, nine thousand three hundred and twenty-four and six 
hundreth's aci'es, at a cost of thirty-one thousand and fifty-eight dolla»s 
and fifty-eit;ht cents. 

"Purchased from individuals two thousand five hundred and ninety-two and 
twenty-three hundreths acres, at an expense of twenty-seven thousand nine 
hundred and eightj'-two dollars and thirty cents." 

"Paid preliminary fees for the occupaticn of sixty thousand acres of Govern- 
ment Land to the ammint of nine hundred and thirty dollars. 

"In addition to the al)f)ve the Colony holds a contract with the Denver Pa- 
cific Railway to purchase at any time within three years, from May 1st, IfeTO, 
fifty thousand acres of laud at prices vai'ying fiom $3 to $i per acre, with inter- 
est from date of contract. It will thus be observed that, though actually own- 
ing but about twelve thousand acres of land, the Coiony controls, in addition, 
one hundred and eleven thousand acres of land, acknowledged to be the bcist 
in the Territory, with chartei^ for ditches covering the entire area.'" 

An apportionment of lands was also made as follows : 
Town lots :— For business, 520, size, 25x190 ; for residence, 
673, ranging in size from 50x190 to 200x190. Beside these 
there were reserved for Schools, Churches, Town Hall^ 
Court House, Seminary and otlier public purposes, 277 
lots. Members to be allowed to purchase a town lot for 
residence or business purposes, either or both, at the min- 
imum price of lifty dollars for corner and twenty-iive dol- 
lars for inside lots. 



12 

Farm lands were divided into plots from five to forty 
acres, and as high as 120 acres on certain conditions, ac- 
cording to distance from the town centre, each member to 
be entitled to one of these plots as he might select, for his 
colony certificate. The land to be furnished with water 
for irrigation and only liable to assessment for the cost of 
keeping the irrigating ditches in repair. The lands thus 
subdivided lying up and down the Cache-la-Poudre, on 
both sides of the river for several miles. 

A contract was at once given out for Ditch No. 3, ten 
miles long, and capable of being extended two miles fur- 
ther ; fifteen inches deep ; average width, eight feet ; car- 
rying twenty-five hundred inches of water, and capable of 
irrigating five thousand acres, including the town site. 
By the lOtli of June, this ditch was completed and water 
running through all the streets of the town. A Plaza or 
Square of ten acres was laid out in the centre of the town 
and two miniature lakes, one called Lunar and the other 
Auricular, from their respective shapes, constructed and 
filled with water. Trees, brought from the Phoenix Nur- 
series, at Bloomington, Illinois, were set out in the Plaza 
and through the public streets, and orders issued for the 
construction of a School House suitable for a primary 
sfthool. To the north west of the town an island in the 
river gave ample ground for a public park, and this land, 
comprising about forty-eight acres was reserved and de- 
nominated "Island Grove Park." 

Meanwhile families and heads of famihes were arriving 
on the ground. The first member who slept on colony 
ground was Mr. J. F. Sanborn, who pitched hjs tent on 
the river bank east of the town, on April 18th ; on the 19th 
of April, Mrs. Agnes A. G. Benson, the first lady member 
of the Colony, stepped on the soil of Greeley. On the 30th 
of the same month Mr. L. W. Teller of Mt. Kisco, N. Y. 
with a family of wife and five children arrived. At this 
time there was but one house on the ground, and from 
data kept we find that in a few days forty-two persons, of 
whom twelve were women, found lodgings in six small 
rooms in this one house. 



13 

But comfortable shelter was soon provided. Six tents 
were borrowed from Fort Russell, three piirchased at 
Cheyenne, and a building, costing thirteen hundred and 
fifty dollars, was moved from Cheyenne and placed just 
west of the depot. It was dubbed Hotel de Comfort, and 
though now it is irrevently termed the Barracks, Castle 
Garden, and Hotel dis Comfort, at that time it was as an 
Ehm with its palm trees and wells of water to the travel- 
ler over the Arabian Desert. It was an ark of refuge, a 
sure and safe abiding place, and never a day but there 
was room for one more, no matter how crowded its condi- 
tion. Early in May the stream of active emigration set in ; 
with some discouragements, it is true, for many and vari- 
ous were the difficulties to be contended with, and there 
were days when the shadowo from the mountains to the 
west of the site of the town, seemed to rest upon the hopes, 
the hearts, the ambitions of the new comers. One can 
easily imagine the situation ; the ground was perfectly 
unbroken for miles, and the winds of unnumbered centur- 
ies had blown off the light soil, leaving a gravelly coating 
over the surface not covered by grass or cacti. The grass 
was short and brown and presented to the eye none of its 
nutritious qualities. And the cacti, at that time had not 
its variegated blossoms to commend it to the eye, whil^ 
its prickly armor in no way commended it to the touch. 

General Cameron who was constantly on the ground 
looking after the welfare of the colonists, and whose broad 
shoulders bore without bending the weight of odium 
placed upon them by the dissatisfied, reports that one day 
sixty-two persons arrived, and two days thereafter eighty- 
three additional presented themselves. Hardly any of 
these brought with them provisions, tents, blankets or any 
of the necessaries of life. They could not be protected 
from the cold winds or the colder night air. No ditches 
had been dug, no water was running and in all the town 
of Greeley there was but one well, and two unfinished, 
rough and impromptu buildings. 

These were Greeley's dark days. Some there were who 
forgetting that it was the work of the colony to create a 



14 

city, expected one already built, witli houses and stores, 
mills and factories, and all tlie adjuncts of a settled civili- 
zation. Disappointment set their teeth- upon edge and 
kindled bitter feelings of animosity in their bosoms- 
Tongues wagged and not wisely nor well. Accusations of 
fraud, deception, were freely bruited about. The vocabu- 
lary of crime was ransacked, and no criminal whose 
heart was of the blackest type, received more opprobium 
than the leaders of the colony movement, from the lips of 
these disappointed and dissatisfied ones. They came to 
colonize, but without waiting to investigate— to examine 
the location — to test the capabilities of the soil — they 
remained to curse only so long as the next train east de- 
layed its coming. Then, shaking the dust of Greeley from 
their feet, they "went to tkeir own place." 

Time passed; a survey was soon made, and locations 
chosen by those who, having ventured thus far, had suffi- 
cient wisdom to see that the experiment was but at its be- 
ginning, and that success lay at its ending. The top of 
the ladder was not to be reached at one bound, even in 
Colorado. One by one the rounds were to be trodden, 
and b}'' feet made weary by the upward way. 

But soon Ditch No. 3 was completed, and the water 
came dancing through the flumes like a ministering angel, 
(as indeed it was,) scattering blessings all along its path. 
It ran over the parched land, and blade and blossom 
awoke to a new beauty, and the birds sang their welcome 
early and late to the new-comers whose destiny had 
brought them to these late desolate but now blooming 
prairies. Trees were planted, and active, earnest, true- 
hearted men, women and children went to work with a 
spirit that deserved and achieved success. The cloud 
passed away; the sunshine took its place, and thencefor- 
ward cheered, warmed and lighted the hearts of all. 

But before tracing further the history of the Colony, or 
presenting statistics of its present condition, it may be well 
to present a chapter upon the agricultural resources of 
the valley in which we have found a home, and to which 
we invite the attention of all who contemplate creating 
new homes on the slopes of the Bocky Mountains. 



15 
CHAPTER III. 

AGKICULTURE AND lEEIGATION. 

Time was when these plains were designated the Great 
American Desert. There are books of geography yet in 
use in the schools of this territory, in which they are so 
described. And so they were to those wlio, having eyes, 
saw not. 

But, as in the poem of the Sleeping Princess in the Woods, 
who waited but the coming of the Fortunate Prince, 
whose passionate kiss should awake her to life, and all 
about her to activity, so the slumbering Princess of the 
Plains but waited the coming of the Fairy Prince, the 
touch of whose magic wand should kindle into a beauty 
unknown before the charms lying hidden in her veiled bo- 
som. And at the magic touch of water, lo ! the powers 
lying dormant for unnumbered ages suddenly awoke, and. 
from out the lap of nature flowed abundant evidence that 
these were fertile instead of sterile plains. 

Irrigation is no new thing. To those accustomed to the 
rain-falls east of the Missouri river, it may become, at 
first, a power misapplied, because unknown ; but adapta- 
tion to circumstances is one of the peculiarities of tl]^ 
American mind, and not for any length of time is there 
any " new thing under the sun." 

Old in theory and practice, in the lands of the East, to 
this source must we trace the wonderful fertility of the 
valley of the Nile, whose narrow belt of 3,000 miles, ex- 
tending through six degrees of latitude, for centuries sup- 
ported a population so vast, that even China's countless 
hordes dwindle into insignificance. Not Egypt alone, nor 
China, but nearly all the lands of the Orient have availed 
themselves of this all-powerful adjunct to agriculture, and 
thus supported a population that would otherwise have 
depended upon distant countries for the necessities of ex- 
istence, and so lost their main source of growth and 
strengtli; for agriculture is the true mother of the nations, 
and from her exhaustless bosom they receive the nourish- 
ment that sustains their life. 



16 

Before giving special information connected with the 
results of irrigation in and about Greeley this last sum- 
mer, we desire to group together certain facts of general 
interest. We are indebted in the main for them to Wm. 
N. Byers, Esq., of the News, whose heart has been these 
many years in these highlands, whose home for twelve 
years past has been here, and whose able pen has done 
so much to develop its resources, encourage its settle- 
ment and cheer the hearts of those who come thou- 
sands of miles to build up new homes. Some very im- 
portant statistics have ~ also been culled from the able 
and exhaustive address of William E. Thomas, Esq., 
of the News, before the Territorial Agricultural Fair of 
1869; and we also acknowledge our indebtedness to Gov. 
McCook's address in September of this yenr. 

The agricultural area of Colorado is a little less than 
18,000 square miles, comprising about 11,500,000 acres, all 
highly productive, but in the main requiring irrigation — 
" a savings bank crammed with riches since Noah's flood" 
— and ready, therefore, to honor drafts to an unlimited 
amount ; for " irrigated land never wears out," as the ex- 
perience of eastern nations testifies. Ihere are three 
main sections of this agricultural area, each well supplied 
■^one by the Ai'kansas, one by the Platte, and the third 
by the Bio Grande — ^with water ; and from their tributa- 
ries branch valleys, whose fertility Eastern farmers may 
dream of, but never realize, in the sterile, overworked soils 
of the Atlantic coast. 

Colorado vegetables are now sold east of the Missouri 
river, and flour and grain reach all the States. The crops 
of the current year have been carefully estimated as fol- 
lows : Wheat, 750,000 bushels ; corn, 700,000 bushels ; 
oats and barley, 650,000 bushels; vegetables and pota- 
toes, 500,000 bushels ; — while the hay and dairy product 
will have a market value of not less than four milhons of 
dollars. Ninety-seven bushels of wheat have been raised 
on one acre of land on the South Platte, within forty miles 
of Greeley. Oats have reached the same number of bush- 
els to the acre ; and Governor McCook is our authority for 



17 

the statement tliat 250 bushels of onions have been raised 
on JiaJf an acre. These, of course, are exceptional cases 
and the result of high ciiltivation ; but the average of 
crops may thus be stated : Wheat, 30 bushels ; oats, 55 ; 
corn, 30 ; j)otatoes, 250 ; onions, 300 ; beans, 30 ; Ruta 
Baga turnips, 30 tons; beets, 30 tons. These^ figures may 
be relied upon as being, if anything, helo^v the average. 

In this connection, we may observe that farmers here 
have no difficulty in turning the soil. Two horses or a 
pair of cattle plow the ground with the greatest ease, and 
two acres can be plowed by one man in a single day. 

A few words in relation to beets. The growth of sugar 
beets here is simply enormous. The soil seems peculiarly 
adapted to their cultivation, and hundreds of acres could 
be profitably grown if some far-seeing and enterprising 
capitalist would but invest a few spare thousands of dol- 
lars in the erection of a beet sugar mill. Here we have 
all the essential elements of success. Soil and chmate are 
favorable ; there would be an abundance of supply, and a 
home market ready to absorb all that could be produced. 
What seems to have been a failure at Chatworth, Illinois, 
in Greeley would be a magnificent success ! 

At the Denver Fair, this year, turnips were on exhibi- 
tion, and curiosity impelled us to measure the largest ; it 
-was/o^iy-two inches in circumference. Cabbages weigh- 
ing fifty pounds were too common for especial mention ; 
and we could easily credit the story of the prudent house- 
keeper, who sent her child to market for the smallest head 
he could find, and he came home bending under the 
weight of a lourteen-pounder, ha\dng searched vainly for 
one of less weight. 

That grapes will thrive, we had evidence — some choice 
Isabellas were on exhibition — and that small fruits will 
flourish is beyond a doubt. We have seen with our own 
eyes an acre of Wilson strawberries yielding eighteen 
hundred quarts of the largest and finest quality of fruit. 
The time will come, and that in the not far-distant future, 
when vast establishments for canning fruit will be scat- 
tered over the Territory ; and the berries of Colorado 



18 

be the delight of the epicure and the never-f aihng resource 
of the careful housewife, whose " sweetmeat" days will be 
among the events of the past. 

Farming, of course, on account of the lateness of arrival, 
could not be extensively carried on about Greeley, Even 
vegetable gardening, to a great extent, was impeded and 
delayed by the late supply of water. But the result of 
rough turning the prairie sod, even under these discourag- 
ing circumstances, was surprising. We have seen radishes 
allowed to grow as Specimens on the town lot of E. W. 
Gurley, Esq., nieasuring twenty-eight inches in circumfer- 
ence and thirty-one inches long. . Potatoes have been 
grown jBfty tubers to one stalk of a size that might be 
termed medium, having been planted late in July. Pota- 
toes on the lot of Captain David Boyd have yielded an 
average of one hundred and forty bushels to the acre. 
Beets, carrots, salads, cabbages, tomatoes, turnips, squash- 
es, corn (as sweet and toothsome, tender and succulent as 
any ever eaten in the east), beans — in fact, in our wonder- 
fully prolific soil there is no vegetable that will not grow 
and yield an hundred fold as a reward for the labors of 
the agriculturist. Sweet potatoes, too, can be grown here? 
as we know, having, through the courtesy of Mr. J. H. 
Pinkerton, eaten some very fine ones raised on the St. 
Vrain, a few miles back of Greeley. 

But even irrigation is not a necessity in our fertile valley. 
There are bottom lands that have been cultivated this year 
by ranchemen, in the vicinity of the town, where no water, 
save what has fallen from the heavens, has been used; 
and vegetables of all kinds, and of infinite productiveness, 
have been raised. Early in the summer season our' entire 
supply came from this source, and it is an undeniable fact, 
thajt the small grains can be grown here successfully with- 
out one inch of irrigating water being used. 

Thousands of strawberry plants have been set this fall 
and after next season this luscious fruit, averaging seven- 
ty-five cents per quart in Denver this present season, will 
be within the reach of all, while hundreds of crates will 
find ready market along the line of the Union Pacific and 



19 

the Kansas Pacific, reaching even the St. Louis and the 
Omaha markets ; and we have faith that the day is not far 
distant when we shall rival California in our grapes, plums, 
cherries, apricots and pears. 

Of stock raising, we have but space to touch briefly.- 
The vast ranges are too well known. This and the neigh- 
boring territories of Wyoming, Montana and Utah must^ 
for generations to come, supply and control the beef, mut- 
ton, wool, hide, cheese, butter and horse markets of the 
United States, and simply because they can produce these 
articles cheaper and better than any other portion of our 
countr3^ The percentage of loss is less than wintering in 
the States on corn and hay, and here we feed nothing, 
herding stock on the dry gama or bunch grass of the 
plains ; the air is so fine that these grasses cure on 
the ground, losing none of their nourishment, and the 
climate is so mild and genial — a very Italian climate — 
that stock can range and feed all the winter, and 
keep in excellent condition. Alexander Majors, of 
Nebraska City, late of the freighting firm of Majors, 
Russell & Waddell, giving his experience, sums up the 
whole matter as follows : " I say, without hesitation, 
all the country west of the Missouri river is one vasfli 
pasture, afi'ording unequalled summer and winter pastur- 
age, where sheep, horses and cattle can be raised with 
only the cost of herding." 



CHAPTER IV. 

MOUNTAIN SCENEKY, CLIMATOLOGY, FLORA, &C., &C. 

We are indebted to Mr. E. Fussell, artist, for the ac- 
companying graphic description of Estes Park, and the 
mountain scenery in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Fussell 
has executed some very fine pictures this present season, 
and during the winter will finish some mountain scenes, 
sketches of which were taken during one of the journeys 
described in his letter. 



20 

To tlie tourist who wishes to start from Greeley to 
view the beauties of the mountains there are two places 
that offer great advantages, Estes Park and the Great 
Canyon of the Big Thompson. There is not at present 
much accommodation for such, but those will not be found 
wanting to supply it when needed. 

A line of stages is projected from Greeley to Estes 
Park next summer, but for the trip to the Big Canyon 
private conveyances must yet be depended upon. The 
distance is some fifty-five miles ; the first part of the 
route lies in the Valley of the Cache-la-Poudre with its 
picturesque groves of cottonwood. Seen near sunset on 
such days as are frequent during the summer season, this 
part of the drive brings forcibly to mind those lines of 
Burns : 

" The winds blew hollow frae the hUl, 
By fits the sun's departmg beam 
Shone brightly on the yellow woods 
That wared by Sugar's winding stream." 

And it is well to take a " last, long, lingering look" at these 
yellow woods that their image may remain upon the mind 
to relieve the tedium of the long drive across the plains. 
These treeless plains are the thorns to the roses that are to 
come. Here, too, we are struck with the deceptive appea:p- 
ances of distances. You are willing to assert upon oath, if 
needs be, that yon bluff is but half a mile off, but unfortun- 
ately you find that many undreamed of little valleys, gullies 
and mounds intervene ; but steady-jogging horseflesh in 
good time overcome all these and bring us to the foothills — 
those peculiar abrupt upheavals of stratified rock, on all 
prominent points of which may be found old Indian hid- 
ing places or lookouts; now, since "poorLo!" has been 
forced to search for pastures new, of no use save as mat- 
ters of curiosity. These foothills have a gradual slope 
towards the east ; but towards the west are very abrupt, 
especially near the top, where there is generally a perpen- 
dicular cliff, ranging from a few feet to two or three hun- 
dred. They give ample opportunity for those who wish 
to prepare themselves for the sterner duties of climbing 
steeper grades, and also of learning something of the 



21 

power tliere is in gravitation by the simple process of pry- 
ing huge boulders from their place and letting them roll 
thundering into the valley below. This for pleasure 
seekers ; but for seekers after the truths of geology, these 
bluffy heights o£fer rare' and peculiar advantages. Here 
are to be seen strata upon strata broken off by some strong 
convulsion of nature, exposing the laj'^ers that the mighty 
sea of the olden time has made to the view of roving mor- 
tals so plainly that it scarcely needs an Agazziz to read 
them. 

The old red sandstone is the most conspicuous to the 
casual observer, giving its hue to all the country round. 

There are two Canyons on the Big Thompson, separated 
by a narrow, picturesque valley ; the lower and lesser one 
is peculiar, inasmuch as it runs through a cleft in granite 
rock, which overlies red sandstone. The sides are steep 
and abrupt, in many cases being perpendicular from the 
the water's edge. The adventurous climber may from 
either end reach to nearly the same point, but there he 
will find his onward way checked, and be forced to climb 
to the top. Eocky forms of the grandest description, 
checkered and stained by the exposures of many centuries 
are on all sides, while whistling eddying httle rapids make 
the place one in a thousand f6r those who enjoy the beau- 
tiful in nature. 

The larger canyon is longer, with sides steeper and 
higher, and in many places impassable, except in winter, 
when the frozen cascades make the granduer grander, and 
at the same time a secure bridge by which to round the 
otherwise impassable promontories. All parts of the can- 
yon may be seen in summer by climbing over the moun- 
tains on either side and down ; a rather severe ordeal for 
one who is not used to it, but one that is amply repaid by 
ever varying and ever new forms of rock and rippling, 
dashing water, with here and there rugged pine or spruce 
set in some rocky crevice and adding greatly to the pictur- 
esqueness of the whole. 

Those who come here expectmg to see the picturesque 
nooks, the overhanging trees, the verdure that makes the 



22 

charm of the eastern monntaiii scenery will be disap- 
pointed. The Eocky Mountain scenery has a character 
peculiarly its own ; it is of the rocks, rocky. There are 
trees, it is true, but the mountain sides are steep, and the 
trees generally not of the largest, so that the top of the 
lower scarcely reaches the root of the higher ; thus a mass . 
of foliage is not seen, except on the brow of hiUs and 
level places between. But the rocks themselves are of so 
many forms and so many colors that this want is not • 
scarcely felt. 

In the rocks near the water's edge is seen the power 
of rushing water in the smooth polished surfaces, in the 
wearing a\V-ay of the softer portions, leaving many furrows. 
In many places you mark the course of on old-time eddy 
in a semi-circular abrasion in. the sohd rock. In one place 
these water-marks are to be seen thirty or forty feet above 
the present water-level, showing that at some time there 
has been some obstruction in the narrow gap below. From 
the mountain to the light of the Canyon, a fine view 
can be had of the vaUey below, and to the westward of 
Bald Mountain with its dreamy ghosts of forests that 
are no more, of Storm Peak rearing its rocky front 
before the snowy range, of James Peak its snowy head 
towards the clouds as if asserting its right to be con- 
sidered one of the chosen ones — and indeed it lacks 
but little of being as high as its better known rival. Long's 
Peak, while in the massiveness of its surroundings, the 
mountain cannot surpass it. 

Fishermen and hunters have followed up the creek to 
Estes Park, but at present the only available route to that 
place is by a trail running £rOm St. Train's Canyon. Up 
hill and down hill the road leads, but not as the old roads 
wind "Now to the church and now to the mill" — such 
things are left far behind ; it is rather a bUnd following 
of the old deer trails, for now we are entering upon the 
favorite haunts of the Great Elk, whose branching horns 
may be seen on every side whitened by rain and sun. 
Ebtes Park is situated at the base of Long's Peak, from 
which it extends in a northeasterly direction about ten 



23 

miles. The Park is divided by a mountain that is waiting 
for a name into two sections ; through the northermost 
one the Big Thompson finds its way ; this stream is said 
to abound in that finest of fish, the speckled trout, but 
like all our wild western creations, his education has been 
a little neglected. He won't bite an artificial fly. Fortu- 
nately a substitute and the one that he understands is 
generally near at hand in the shape of a grasshopper. 

The tracks of elk and deer may also be seen on every 
side, which generally is as exciting as if the animal itseK 
were there, for it is the old question answered here — the 
pursuit is nearly as pleasant as the possession. 

Here are opportunities for any one desirous of naming 
points, lakes and canyons innumerable. There is Mount 
Olympus with its rocky front looking as sternly severe as 
Jove himself might have looked, almost a solid rock whose 
summit is eight thousand feet above the sea's level. There 
to the right is Black Canyon, with its sombre shading of 
trees and its bold sharp sentinels of rock guarding its en- 
trance. To the left is seen Lily Mountain, twelve thou- 
sand feet high, with its bold face looking fi-owningly at 
Long's Peak, as if angry because that mountain dared to 
hold its head six thousand feet higher. And then at the 
foot of Long's Peak is a wonderful chasm with a perpen- 
dicular side running clear up to nearly the top of the 
Peak. Then there are the lakes that duplicate the moun- 
tains and rocks on either side. There is the little moun- 
tain brook half hidden among the massive rocks it tumbles 
over, ofiering a cool retreat from the heats of summer, and 
at every step a pleasing picture. There are valleys branch- 
ing off from the main park that would undoubtedly amply 
repay exploration in the many new and varied forms they 
might present ; there are detached rocks of huge size up 
and down which the Rocky Mountain sheep jumps and 
runs with a swiftness that forbids pursuit. 

There are many other points that might be enumerated, 
but these must sufiice. A word to the wise is sufficient, 
and all these charms of scenery and beauties of natui-e 
are within two. days drive of Greeley. '' These we have 
always with us," and they will remain " a joy forever." 



24 

Touching tlie flora of the Yalley of the Cache-la-Poudre, 
we present the accompanying article from the accom- 
plished pen of A. J. WiLBEE, Esq. : 

In the early days of Greeley, when cattle paths were all 
the paths we had, and we could shoot antelope and rabbit 
from our cabin doors, the new comer's first impressions 
were most certain to be of the flora ; and the conclusion 
was quite as certainly reached that the cactus was at 
least the tyrant if not the type of this flora. 

Later, the splendor of their bloom went far to compen- 
sate 4or their former ugliness. The cacti have all ^he 
brilliant colors, though none of the more delicate. The 
round one is the most beautiful, with scarlet blossoms, 
sometimes a dozen clustered in one mass and lasting a 
long time ; finally succeeded by the fi'uit, which, with the 
form of the plant, make it as interesting as before. When 
the fruit ripens, it has a close relation to the gooseberry 
in taste. Not so with the pricklj pear cactus. The fruit 
of this species is so poor one must be very hungry to eat 
it, but its fiowers are more various and equally beautiful. 

Long ere the cacti begin to show their beauty there are 
little gems that rival anything to be seeii in the east, in 
garden or out, and would no doubt produce a pleasant 
sensation there. Two of the overgracae, or evening prim- 
rose family are delightful for their sweetness and modesty. 
One is the dehcate pink flower which chooses the dryest sit- 
uations, and by its fragrance puts to flight the supposition 
that the flowers of the plains are without odor. The other 
is the lovely white flower that borders all the ditches. It 
sprang up early, and when irrigation began in June had 
nearly flnished blossoming, but at the advent of water on 
our streets, they welcomed it with a new shower of blos- 
soms which they have renewed daily ever since ; while 
their comrades on the dry plain have long been sleeping. 
I am sure one plant has borne over four hundred blossoms 
this year. The seed pods are hidden under the leaves by 
the ever-recovering stems. The malvacea has a represen- 
tive more beautiful than the hoUyhock, though only four 
or five inches high. It is found along the edge of the 



25 

overland stage route, but rejoices in cultivation. There 
are several evergreen herbs of rare beauty ; one with its 
delicate flower is beautiful for borders. Tlie euphoi^biacece 
is represented by several species ; the most noticeable is 
the " snow on the mountain," with its broad white leaves. 
A porfalacacefp resembles a huge purslain, and has a bunch 
of white blossoms resembling the snow-ball. Another 
with white tiny blossoms has seed-pods that look at a dis- 
tance like a pink rose. Two species of spider-flower — 
deonos — cultivated in the gardens east of the Mississipjai, 
grow everywhere, sometimes six feet high. The Spanish 
bayonet is the most conspicuous plant. 

All these and many more flowering plants have their 
home on " the barren plains," and grow as if they love to 
dot it with their freshness and beauty. 

My acquaintance ^sdth the flora of this vicinity is by no 
means so complete as I wish it to be. So far, all the 
plants with which I have become familiar find a place in 
the orders, and even the genii of the flora east of the Mis- 
sissippi ; the difference being confined entirely to the 
species. A text-book on botan)^ for our schools her© 
would require, then, merely an addition to the species of 
the Manual used in the schools and colleges east of the 
Mississippi. 

I do not know that there is a text-book suited to this 
region. Though not embodied in a work, the plants pro- 
bably have all been examined by scientific men. Their, 
classification and names could, doubtless, be gathered 
from the United States Survey of the Pacific Railroad, 
Fremont's Explorations and other sources. 

In May, the river bottoms became bright with fresh 
soft grass. The cottonwood put on tlie richest green that 
nature has in her dye room. The air was filled with fra- 
grance, the breath of the bursting leaf and flower-buds of 
the sweet briar ; later they were resplendent with bloom, 
and now with bright red buds, which, mingled with the 
white wax berry, produce a fine contrast, and the clumps 
of green ash and soft maple make the whole seem a gar- 
den of rare richness. Near by, the wild plum and cherry, 



26 

witli hazel and willow, compose thickets over which the 
virgin's bower — clematis — loves to throw its beautiful white 
spray ; all having a fine background in the small cotton- 
woods whose leaves show all of autumn's tints. The wild 
hop and many other vines tangle the whole into a mass in 
which the rabbits hide. Thickets of wild sunflower fur- 
nish shelter and food for grouse. Among the open growth 
the beaver has made his mark, and gone where he may 
live with the savage, the white man being too grasping for 
him. Here are the stumps of many trees he has cut — one 
over two feet in diameter. 

But this wildness is the exception, the rule of this flora 
being to produce the eifect of a great landscape garden, 
where the outlines of the hills are toned down, and reduc- 
ed to rule and beauty by the gray, the brown and the 
green of the everywhere prevailing grass — the rich grass 
-of the plain, at present its most valuable production. 

This will please the reflective, loving soft beauty ; but 
if the mind is attuned to wildness, seek the mountains, 
where the small plants, the vines, the deciduous and ever- 
green trees cluster and cling around the huge rocks and 
make fitting home for mountain lion or panther, or anon 
leave mountains of stone in desolate grandeur. 

In reference to the climate, mineral productions, and 
other minor matters, we extract the following from an arti- 
cle on the colony, published early in April in the Rocky 
Mountain News: 

The temperature in the warm days of summer ranges 
from eighty-four to ninety- six degrees above zero in the 
shade. The sun shines very warm some days, but in the 
shade the air is always pleasant, fresh and cool. Sultry, 
hot nights are unknown. In winter, the common range of 
the theremometer is from thirty to sixty degrees above 
zero, but in most winters the temperature at two or three 
periods and for one, two or .three nights at each time, falls 
below zero. The prevailing winds, the year round, are 
from the northwest, ranging all the way between north 
and west. Northeast winds bring snow in winter and rain 



27 

in spring and summer. There are occasional wind storms, 
but no tornadoes. Fogs are unknown. The average fall 
of rain in spring and summer, from the most reliable data 
at hand is six inches ; of snow in winter and spring, from 
twenty-five to thirty inches, giving five inches of water, 
and a total for the year of eleven inches. The first snow 
usually comes in October (this year October 16th), and the 
last in April or the first of May. There is seldom more 
than three or four inches on the ground at a time, though 
two or three falls of ten inches each have occurred in the 
last eleven years. Rain comes in showers through April, 
May and June, and occasionally in July and August, after 
which there is seldom any rain until spring. Bain never falls 
in the winter months. Owing to the firmness of the sur- 
face soils, roads seldom get unpleasantly muddy or dusty. 
For natural excellence as highways they are doubtless the 
best in the world. The best evidence that late spring 
frosts do not kill fruits is the fact that the native wild 
fruits never fail to produce full crops. 

As regards health, Colorado is far above the average of 
"healthful covm tries," so called. The invigorating air 
gives remarkable tone and elasticity to the nervous sys- 
tem. In that respect none^ other is known to excel it. 
Agues and other miasmatic fliseases are unknown. Asthma 
is quickly cured. Pulmonary diseases and bronchitis 
never originate here, and unless firmly seated are greatly 
reheved or entirely cured by a change hither. A long list 
of diseases, to which females are ^ peculiarly liable, are 
greatly mitigated in their severity. There is nothing that 
can be termed a " prevailing disease of the country." 

Touching mineral productions — sandstone may be found 
in the vicinity. Lime or plaster is found in the higher lands 
adjacent to the town and has been used for building. Coal 
has not been developed as yet in veins of sufficient depth 
to justify the working, but the new road in contemplation 
to Boulder will bring us in direct communication with the 
mining district. Along the foot of the mountains, twenty 
miles west of Greeley, and bordering on the lands belong- 
ing to the colony, there is abundance of iron — consisting 



28 

of Lematite, bog and magnetic ores — coal, gypsnm, Kme- 
stone, freestone and granite, are in close proximity. It is 
also well known that the mountains pierced by the Cache- 
la-Poudre abound in rich mines of copper and silver. 
Specimens have been on exhibition in the Colony office 
during the summer, furnished by Judge Sherwood, of 
Fort Colhns. 

As regards timber, there are inexhaustible supplies from 
thirty to sixty miles west along the Cache-la-Poudre in 
the mountains. It consists of white, yellow, black and 
pitch pine, white, yellow and red fir, spruce and cedar. It 
can be floated down the stream, and Ditch No. 1 is to be 
so constructed as to allow the floating of millions of logs 
down into the interior of the farming lauds of the colony. 

Of beasts, birds and fishes there are native to the coun- 
try and upon the plains, antelope, deer, foxes, badgers, 
prairie dogs, rabbits and a number of smaller animals. To 
the mountains, elk, white and black tail deer, antelope, 
grizzly, cinnamon and black bear, mountain sheep, moun- 
tain lions, wolves, foxes, martins, mink, mountain badger, 
beaver, weasel, cony, &c., &c. Birds are abundant — all 
the water fowls, four or five variety of grouse, including 
the prairie hen, sage hen and ptarmigan and a great variety 
of singing birds, including lark, robin, mocking-bird, blue- 
bird, oriole, thrush and blackbird. Quails have been in- 
troduced the past winter. Of fish there are trout, river 
whitefish, suckers and a number of others, and there are 
wholesome territorial laws protecting at certain seasons 
fishes, birds and game animals. 

We might add that our immediate markets wUl be 
Denver, fifty-two miles south ; Cheyenne, fifty-four miles 
north ; both reached by the Denver Pacific Railway, and 
the mining regions and towns of Gilpin, Clear Creek, and 
Boulder counties, from fifty to one hundred miles distant, 
over good wagon roads or by rail to Denver, and thence by 
wagon for thirty-five to fifty miles ; as well as all the towns 
on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The develop- 
ment of the gold, silver and other mines — as yet in their 
infancy — will always secure a reliable and a growing 



29 

market, whicli will doubtless test to its full capacity, if not 
entirely outstrip, not only the agricultural facilities of the 
Colony, but of the entire tenitory. 



CHAPTER V. 

PEESENT CONDITION OF UNION COLONY. 

From the month of May down to the present date, the 
growth of Greeley has been steadily progressive. Scarcely 
a day has passed but some member of the colony has ar- 
rived on the ground, selected his lots and lands, and set 
about erecting a home for himself and his family. Some, 
unable at present to remain, have located their claim and 
gene East, intending to return in the spring with their 
families. By May, 1871, there is not a doubt but that the 
full number of colonists holding certificates of member- 
ship will be on the ground, their present and their future 
interests all fully identified with Greeley. Success, there- 
fore, seems assured. We have no soil to " subdue" in the 
sense generally used by Western pioneers. We have but 
to ask, and the fruitful earth, waiting this call for centu- 
ries, yields from her abundance more than we ask. The 
wand of Fortunatus is at our command. We have but to 
wave it, and gather in " the abundant harvest of re- 
ward." 

As can easily be imagined, the current of our prosperity 
has not always run smooth. Twice have the waters been 
troubled by the spirits of discontent, disaffection and 
doubt. But the deep under-current of popular sentiment 
dormant so long as danger did not menace, has ' ever 
proven able to guide the good ship Union through the 
storm that swept around it. 

Late in the month of May last, the first disaffection 
came to the surface in a motion requesting the then act- 
ing officers to resign, Prompt came the response, and on 



30 

June IStli, an election was lield for a new Executive Com- 
mittee. It resulted in tlie clioice of a majority of tlie old 
board to serve in tlie new, including tlie old President, 
Vice-President and Secretary, by a vote so decisive that 
the growlers were completely routed, " borse, foot and dra- 
goons." The strength of the colonial organization was 
tested, and it resulted in showing by conclusive proof that 
we were not a " myth" only, but had " a local habitation 
and a name." 

During the month of June a Board of Education was 
appointed at a colony meeting, to provide for the educa- 
tional needs of the town. It consisted of Nathan C 
Meeker, J. H. Pinkerton, William E. Pabor, A. J. Wilber, 
John R. Long. A subscription list was at once started, 
as it was found that the school, for the summer session at 
least, must be supported by voluntary contributions. 
Early in July a small building, furnished by the colony, 
and capable of holding about fifty scholars, was formally 
opened, with Mrs. Y. R. Guiney, of Urbano, Ohio, as 
teacher. Her report, submitted to the Board of Educa- 
tion at the close of the summer session ending September 
29th, showed as follows : Number of scholars enrolled, fif- 
ty-four ; average daily attendance, thirty-seven ; number 
of days taught, sixty -two. Branches taught: Reading, 
Writing, Spelling, Geography, Arithmetic, English Gram- 
mar, Object Lessons, Mental Exercises. We quote : " It 
will be seen by this statement that the daily attendance 
was large. We labored under many difficulties in organ- 
izing a school, from the fact that the children were strang- 
ers, bringing a variety of text books, and for weeks we had 
but two Spellers, six different series of Readers, and as 
many different Arithmetics and English Grammars. From 
such a medley of confusion, we succeeded in establishing 
order and good feeling among the children, and we trust 
also in obtaining the approval of the parents." 

On the first of September two prizes for the best im- 
provement in reading were 'offered by Wm. E. Pabor, of 
the Board of Education. One, a copy of the " Swiss 
Family Robinson," in words of one syllable, to be awarded 



31 

to the best reader under eight years of aga. The other, a 
copy of Webster's High School Dictionary, to the best 
reader over eight and under fourteen years of age. At the 
close of the session the first prize was awarded to Miss 
Nellie Euthven, and the second to Master Charles W. 
Pinkerton. 

As regards educational facilities during the winter sea- 
son, we can state that arrangements have been made for 
the establishment of three schools, to be supported by a 
county school fund. These will come under the supervi- 
sion of the regular Dii^trict School Board of Weld County, 
assisted by an advisory board selected by the Executive 
Council of the colony, and will amply supply the needs of 
the town during the winter, A private school for youth 
of both sexes has been established by Mr. Edgar Strunk, 
late a principal of one of the pubhc schools in New 
York Citj. In the spring we shall probably be formed 
into a separate school district, and will then elect our 
own board of directors. An enumeration taken October 
1st showed one hundred and seventy-nine children in 
Greeley between the ages of five and twentyone years. 
We add in this connection that there are three reserved 
plots of land set aside for school buildings, in addi- 
tion to plots for seminary and other educational purposes. 

June 18th, 1870, will be memorable as the natal day of 
the first child born in the new settlement. The happy pa- 
rents were Herbert antl Agnes Dickinson, and the child 
was appropriately named Hokace Greeley Dickinsgn. It 
is understood that the Board of Trustees, who stood spon- 
sors to the young babe, deeded a town residence lot 
in trust to his parents, for the benefit and use of the new 
comer. 

The first Fourth of July in Greeley, of course, was ap- 
propriately celebrated. Every heart beat high and fast 
with enthusiasm. A committee of arrangements prepared 
the following progi-amme : 

Opficeks of the Day- -Preaideut : N. C. Meeker. Grand Marshal : Geueral 
R. A. Cameron. 

At Bunrise the National flag to be floated from the pole on the town plaza. 

On the an-ival of the excursion^ trains from Denver and Cheyenne a proces- 



32 

sion to be formed, headed by the Ninth Infantry Band from Fort Russell, and 
marched to Island Grove Park, where the following exercises are to take place : 

Opening Prayer by Eev. Wm. Baxter. 

Singing, " My country, 'tis of thee," by the Greeley Glee Club. 

Eeading Declaiation of Independence by Hon. E. C. Monk. 

Music by the Band. 

National Ode, written by William E. Pabor. Read by James G. Cooper. 

Singing, " Star-Spangled Banner," by the Glee Club. 

Oration by General E. M. Lee, of the Wyoming Iribune. 

Music by the Band. 

Doxology by the entire company. 

Benediction by Rev. Wm. H. ScheU. 

The above programme was very generally carried out. 
Large numbers of vi.-itors were witli us, and the day was 
truly a ^a?a day for Greeley. In the evening there was a 
gorgeous display of fireworks, and a ball concluded the 
entertainment. 

Through July and August an era of quiet enabled the 
ofiicers of the colony to conduct their business in good or- 
der and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Colonists 
generally engaged in cultivating the soil and constructing 
houses for themselves and their families. But early in 
September some discontent arose in reference to the non- 
appearance of a repoit upon the finances of the colony ; 
and at a meeting held for that .purpose, a Committee of 
Examination was appointed to audit all the accounts of 
the colony, and report in full its financial condition. The 
meeting named as such committee : William E. Pabor, E. 
T. Nichols, David Boyd, James H. Johnson, William 
Eoote. One week of careful and thorough research en- 
abled the committee to present a detailed statement of 
the affairs of the colony. The accounts were found to be 
substantially correct ; exhibits were prepared, showing 
the amounts paid for specific purposes, and a very satis- 
factory report presented. We quote : Cash assets to date 
of examination, $100,160.14. Cash payments : Original 
cost of land, $61,882.68 ; survey of land, $1,80415 ; cost of 
Ditch No. 3, $5,966.24 ; cost of bridges, $263.59 ; survey 
of Ditch No. 2, $453.67 ; fuel, shelter and sundries, 
$3,125.31 ; expense account to July 9th, $1,198.39 ; cost 
of town survey, $762,45 ; town improvements, $2,557.05 ; 



33 

tree account, $1,490.90; Town Hall, $1500; New-York 
general expense account, $2,595.41 ; Greeley general ex- 
pense account, $3,819.38 ; sundries, $395.65. An inventory 
of colony property, aside from the lands still owned, 
showed in favor of the colony to the amount of $3,640.00. 
The finances of the colony at the date of this writing (Oc- 
tober 25tli) show a balance in the hands of the Treasurer 
of $9,038.66. Amount due from colonists for town lots 
and water rights attached to eighty acre tracts, and pay- 
able between date and Aprir5th, 1871, $34,985. From this 
must be deducted the cost of building Ditch No. 2, the 
contract for which, in thirteen sections, amounting to 
twentj^-six miles, was given out about August 27th, at an 
estimated cost of $20,000. This ditch, capable of irrigat- 
ing some fifty thousand acres of land, is progressing 
rapidly, and under contract to be finished by January 1st, 
1871. 

During the month of September, the second "upheav- 
ing of the waters" 9e6ur^(|^^^(a^^story of the colony. 
A movement, originally organizid!ltjiK^iJace the, Board of 
Trustees in posseSfeion of its legal rignw,\s defined by the 
Act of Incorporation-,^nd make the Execmive Committee 
an advisory and initiSL^^ body, passed 4mv of the hands of 
those initiating it, and ctii^JKgg^ilWJlOT "af excitement re- 
sulted in the passage of resolutions calling upon the Board 
of Trustees and the members of the Executive Committee 
both to resign. This each promptly did, and a new elec- 
tion, held October 5th, resulted in the choice of the pre- 
sent Board of Trustees and the Executive Council of 
twelve ; four of the latter body sitting in joint session with 
the former. These now act in harmony with each other. 

The statistics that follow are compiled from the official 
records of the colony, and therefore, at this date (October 
25th), are authentic and reliable. Persons abroad who de- 
sign visiting or locating here will see at a glance the 
prospect before them, and can act accordingly. 

Business lots in town 520 

Kesident " 673 

3 



34 

Eeserved for churches, schools, town hall, seminary, 
court house and other public purposes, 277. 

Of business lots, none remain unlocated. That is to 
say, they are all held on certificates by members of the 
colony. All claims not improved by April 5th, 1871, lapse 
back to the colony on refunding the amount originally 
paid for membership. On some of these a business lot 
may have been taken, and eventually be thrown open to 
those who have not secured one. 

Of resident lots, sixty-three are unlocated, and there- 
fore open to new comers. These comprise all the lots 
proper in the town of Greeley not taken up. They are 
mainly in the east and north section of the town, and are 
desirable locations for residence. 

Of outlying tracts yet open for selection, there are as 
foUows : 

13 blocks of about 4^ acres each. 
56 plots of 5 acres each. 
85 " 10 
23 " 20 
21 " 40 

to be taken, one on each certificate of membership. 

Of government and raOroad lands under Ditch No. 2, 
now in process of construction, there are open to colonists 
under certain specified conditions the following : 

6 lots of 10 acresfeach. 
21 " 20 " 

59 " 40 
101 " 80 

We desire to call the special attention of all who con- 
template casting in their future lot with us, to the desira- 
bleness of ?the lands to be irrigated by this ditch. So 
many thousands of acres of a quality unsurpassed in the 
world in one" location, present an opportunity seldom of- 
fered to farmers. A town market at home, and quick rail- 
road communication east and west, those farming lands 
can be made the homes of hundreds of thriving families.^ 



35 

Stock, too, can run at large and have an unlimited range 
of pasture over and outside this ditch. 

In addition to the above, the Board of Trustees hold a 
charter for Ditch No. 1 capable of irrigating over 200,000 
acres. These lands are government and railroad lands, 
and are actually controlled by the colony. 

If other evidences of growth are needed than those we 
have already given, we call attention to facts and figures 
such as these. 

There are built, or in process of building, in the town 
and immediate vicinity, three hundred and fifty-two 
houses, from one-story adobe, or humble frame, to the more 
pretentious cottage or mansion, including several blocks of 
adobe, with brick fronts. A bank building of concrete is 
occupied by a firm doing a successful business, and there 
are seventeen stores of various kinds ; also three black- 
smith and wagon shops, three lumber yards, one printing 
office and one livery stable. November 16th the first 
number of the Greeley Tribune, edited and published by 
N. C. Meeker, made its appearance. 

The amount of freight received here from May 6th to 
October 15th foots up nine million eight hundred and fif- 
ty-three thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight pounds 
on Avhich has been paid $25,925.82. The number of cars 
average, both unloaded and despatched, fifty per month. 
For these statistics we are indebted to E. H. Abbott, Esq., 
freight agent of the Denver Pacific Railway at this place. 

The two lumber yards transacting business in this place 
show an exhibit of sales of lumber amounting to one mil- 
lion one hundred and ninety-two thousand feet. To this 
must be added a large amount of lumber brought fi'om the 
mountains by private parties. 

The colony hall is in Exchange Place, and was projected 
during the turbulent times of the month of May ; it is one 
of the best structures in the town, and the upper part of 
the building, by a contract between its owner and the 
Board of Trustees, is held by them for the sole use of the 
colony for two years, when it reverts back to the owner 
under certain specified conditions. 



36 

There are in the town of Greeley two of the best water 
powers in the country — one of them capable of driving 
both a woolen and a grist mill or a paper mill ; the other, 
one of either ; while above the town there are innumera- 
ble water powers only awaiting the advent of enterprise, 
ability and capital to set the wheels of industry in motion. 
All along the banks of the Cache-la-Poudre we hope soon 
to see the evidence that our internal resources are in active 
development, and to hear the hum of traffic resounding 
up and down the mountain road. 

As an evidence of the literary tendencies of our com- 
munity, we record the fact that 115 New York Weeldy 
Tribunes are taken ; 63 Rocky Mountain News, 35 Colora- 
do Tribunes, and over 200 miscellaneous papers, published 
aU over the country. The highest number of letters sent 
out from the post-office in any one day was 253, and $312 
worth of stamps were sold during the quarter ending Oct. 
1st. This would give about ten thousand dollars for that 
period. We have a post-office that would put to the blush 
towns that number thrice the years that we do months. It 
has 350 private boxes, of which two-thirds are rented. 
Two mails are received and sent each day in the week to 
all points of he country. 

Our railroad communication with the East, now that 
the Kansas Pacific is completed to Denver, is now com- 
plete. We have choice of a northern and southern route 
to and from the East, and a person can step in the cars 
here, and in four days land in New-York city, making but 
three changes of cars on the route. The Denver Pacific, 
connecting at one end with the Union Pacific, and at the 
other with the Kansas Pacific, thus gives us ready and 
prompt communication with all points. We will also soon 
be a junction town, the new road projected from Pine 
Bluffs to Ralston, six miles below Golden City, being a 
continuation of the Colorado Central, striking Greeley on 
the south. This road will be of immense advantage to us, 
giving us close connection with the coal mines at Boulder 
and also a market in the mining regions for the agricul- 
tural products of our glorious valley. 



37 

As may not be generally known to the public, the Union 
Colony was founded on temperance principles. The first 
call of Mr. Meeker stated that those with whom he would 
be willing to associate must be temperance men. Expe- 
rience has shown us how difficult it is to wholly ward off 
the insidious wiles of the tempter; we have had some 
trouble, but the policy of the colony has been so deter- 
mined, and its members have been so prompt and effi- 
cient in caiTying out the principles embodied in our con- 
stitution, that we fear no danger ; the town of Greeley is 
now and is to be a temperance town. In each and every 
deed given for land there is inserted this clause, " that it 
is expressly agreed between the parties hereto, that intox- 
icating liquors shall never be manufactured, sold or given 
away in any place of public resort as a beverage, on said 
premises ; and that in case any one of these shall be bro- 
ken or violated, this conveyance, and everything herein 
contained shall be null and void." 

A stringent policy has been adopted in reference to the 
sale of liquors for medicinal purposes, and no druggist is 
allowed to dispense such as medicine without authority 
and under strict regulations. The Executive Council ap- 
points such agents as seem desirable, and none are al- 
lowed to keep even the " bitters" so popular for medicinal 
purposes elsewhere. These are wholly interdicted. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, &C., <fec. 

Of societies, churches and kindred organizations, there 
are no lack, as will be seen from the lists we append : 

Methodist Church. — Thirty-five members. Organized 
August. Dr. J. S. Scott, Class leader : E. Annise, Stew- 
ard. Regular services in Colony Hall. Rev. Mr. Brooks, 
Circuit Preacher. Church lot 100x190, located on Pine 



38 

street, between Jackson and Grant streets, donated by 
tlie colony. 

Baptist Church. — Society only, organized July 24tli. 
E. J. Nicliols, Eussell Fisk, J. F. Sanborn, Trustees. Eev. 
Samuel Brown, of Loda, 111., to assume pastoral charge in 
the spring of 1871. Churcli lot 100x190, located on Chest- 
nut street, between Monroe and Adams streets, donated 
by the colony. 

Presbyterian^ Church. — Ten members. Organized Au- 
gust 21st. L. W. Teller, Presiding Elder. L. Hanna, J. 
Lemmon, Harvey Piatt, Deacons. Services in Colony 
Hall. Church lot, 100x190, located on Spruce street, 
between Monroe and Adams streets, donated by the 
colony. 

Congregational Church. — Thirty-seven members. Or- 
ganized September 1st. J. L. Dunham, Moderator. C. L. 
Nettleton, Stephen Spencer, Deacons. William E. Pabor, 
Clerk and Treasurer. Services in Colony Hall. Church 
lot, 100x190, located on Chestnut street, between Monroe 
and Adams, donated by the colony. 

First Covenanter Society op Greeley. — ^^Organized in 
September, 1870. Members of the Society, 40. J. H. Pin- 
kerton, Samuel Ferris, John Adams, Charles McElvey, J. 
S. Simmon, Trustees. Church Jot, 100x190 on Spruce 
street, between Jefferson and Madison, deeded by the co- 
lony. 

Occidental Lodge op Free and Accepted Masons. — Fif- 
ty members. Preliminary arrangements have been made 
for obtaining a charter and organizing a lodge. A hall 
has been leased for a lodge room, and a city lot donated 
by John E. Long, Esq., on which to erect a masonic tem- 
ple. F. L. Child has been elected Master. E. W. Gurley, 
senior Warden. Henry Lee, Junior Warden. 



39 

Union Choir. — Organized June 20tli. 27 members. 
Leader, J. L. Dunham ; Organist, E. L. Dunham. Twelve 
ladj members ; ten sopranos, two altos, ten bass and 
five tenors. The choir meets weekly for practice, use 
the Jubilate of Dr. Emerson, and conduct the choral 
services for the three denominations, holding regular meet- 
ings — Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian. 

Good Templars. — La Poudre Lodge No. 29, of Greeley 
Independent Order of Good Templars, instituted August 
22d. P. S. MilUner, Special Deputy. Eighty-four mem- 
bers. Meets weekly with the following officers : F. L. 
Childs, W. C. T. ; Mrs. E. B. Annis, W. Y. T. ; W. W. 
Pmgh, W. S. ; F. M. Babcock, W. F. S. ; Miss Amanda 
Hanna, W. T. ; S. B. Wright, W. M; Jno. Clark, W. C. ; 
Miss Mattie Baxter, W. I. G. ; James Lackey, W. A. G. ; 
Miss Fanny Guiney, W. A. S. ; Mrs. B. F. Childs, W. D. 
M. ; Mrs. Emma Hall, W. R. S. ; Miss Gussie Nichols, W. 
L. S. ; J. Herbert Jones, W. W. C. S. 

The Greeley Union Sunday School. — Organized on 
the third Sunday in May, 1870. A temporary board of 
officers served until the last Sunday in June, when an 
election was held and the following persons chosen : 
Superintendent, J. Herbert Jones ; Assistant Superinten- 
dent, E. B. Annis ; Secretary, A. L. Wait ; Treasurer, 
Fred. Feezer ; Librarian, L. W. Teller ; Teachers, H. M. 
Law ; C. L. Nettleton ; L. W. Teller; E. B. Annis ; Mrs. 
Mary F. Wright ; Mrs. Mattison ; Miss Mary Meeker ; 
Miss Ella Fisk ; Miss West. Present membership one 
hundred ; average attendance eighty. 



Greeley Silver Cornet Band. — C. W. Sanborn, Leader- 
Thirteen pieces — two drums — two cymbals. Cost $775. 
Bought of Lyon and Healey, Chicago ; made originally 
for their show case window. The finest set of instruments 
outside of the manufactory at Boston, 



40 

Greeley Lyceum — Organized October 22d, E.W. Gurley, 
President; A. J. Wilber, Yice President; W. Edgar 
Strunk, Secretary ; N. 0. Meeker, Treasurer. Pirst pub- 
lic discussion on the evening of October 27tli, in Colony 
Hall. 



CHlCAfiO & NORTHWiSlRN RAILWAY 

IS THK 

PIONEER LINE 

AM) IS 

The Direct Route from the East to 

COLORADO. 



Colonists going to Greeley will find this the Quick- 
est and Most Comfortable Route. 

gki^pittji |^crachf5 mil ^otel fipavs 

Are Attached to all Express Trains. 

Two Trains leave Chicago daily, eoiinectiiig at Omaha 
"sv-itli the Union Pacific Eailiio.vd for all points in Colo- 
rado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, aud the Pacific Coast. 

Through Tickets for sale at all the principal Ticket 
Offices in the United States, and at the Company's Office, 

Southeast cor. Clark and Lake Streets, 

O H 1 O A @ O , 

And at the General Eastern Office, 
No. 229 Broadway, Netv-York City, 

Where all information in regard to passage, 
freight, etc.. may be obtained of 

a. T. NUTTER, 

General Eastern Ag(;nt, New- York City. 

H. P. STANWOOD, General Ticket Agent, Cliicago. 
JOHN C. GAULT. General Superintendent, " 



GREELEY DRUG STORE, 



FLOWER & CAMERON, 




DEALEBS IN 

PAINTS, VARNISH, BRUSHES, 

NOTIONS, STATIONERY, TOILET 
ARTICLES, GLASS, PUTTY, &c. 

COLONY AGENTS 

FOE THE SALE OF 

PURE WINES, 

' For Medical Purposes Only. 

POST OFFICE, 

MAIN STREET, GREELEY, COLORADO. 

Greeley Real Estate llgency 

N. C. MEEKEB & WM. E. FABOE, 

MANAGEKS. 

Office of the "Gre eley Tribune." 

Colony LumlDer Yard. 

0. W. SANBORN, 

Wholesa'e and Retail Dealer in 

Eastern & Western lumtier, 

TIMBER, PLANK, PLOW BEAMS, 
WAGON TONGUES, FELLOES, Ac. 

Plastering Board, Tar, Felt and Roofing Ma- 
terials. Kock Spring and Boulder Coal. 

Ogi'-e and Ward oh Jtlaple Street, near 
Itepot, Greeley, Colorado. 



A. Z. SOLOMON, 

DEALER IN 



Boots, Shoes, Hats, Caps, 

QUEENSWARt, GLASS, 
Grroceries, &c. 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. 

Gooda sold at Chicago rates, with a 
small advance. 

Main St., next door to Post Office, 

GREELEY, COL )RADO. 



017 064 945 fl 
IN. U. IViHiJdJi^ijjii, 

Maple Street, Greeley, Col. 

Terms, in Advance. — One year, $2.50 ; 
six months, $1.50. 

PROSPECTUS. 

1st. To give full particulars of what- 
ever relates to the Union Colony, of 
which the Town of Greeley is the cen- 
ter, and to show the advantages of colo- 
nization upon our plan. 

2d. To call attention to the attractions 
and wonderful resources of the Rocky 
Mountain country, of which little, as yet, 
is known by the American people. 

3d. To teach that the highest power 
which man can exhibit grows out of 
mental culture, and, at the same time, 
out of well-established habits of indus- 
try, connected either with the cultiva-i 
tion of the soil or with some mechanical 
pursuit. 

4th. To enforce the doctrine that the 
foundation of all prospeiity, whether of 
nations or of individuals, is based on the 
family relation as maintained in civilized 
countries, and that the highest ambition 
of a family should be to have a comfort- 
able and, if poesible, an elegant home, 
surrounded by orchards and ornamental 
grounds, on lands of its o^vn. 



DEALERS IN 



«i.TS¥l -LflMBEE, 



OFFICE AND YARD, 
Main St., east of Depot, Greeley, Coir 

Lowest market rates for Lumber 
kinds and qualities. 

Orders by mail or otherwise careful 
and promptly fiUed. 



E. B. NETTLETON & CO., i 
CIVIL ENGINEERS AND SURVEYORS. 

Special attention given to locating j 
Government and other land, advantage- | 
ously, for parties resident or abroad. j 

Maps can be s'^en at the office of all ; 
the valuable lands in Colorado, and we I 
are prepared to advise understandingly j 
in regard to localities favorable for Irri- j 
gation. Maps, Plans, Specifications and ; 
Estimates *urnishf d for all kinds of work | 
connected with the profession, and all \ 
business and work done promptly and j 
with accuracy. ' ' 

Office with Secretary of Union Colony, < 
or address by mail to Greeley, Colorado, i 



L. HANNA, 

AGENT FOB 

W. H. HOLLIDAY & CO., 



Jl 



